All Great Changes are Preceded by Chaos!

Life threw me a bunch of curve balls this week! Wow! Let me tell you about what is going on. 

We are quickly drawing closer to the end of the semester! Do you know what that means? Lots of homework, projects, papers. Luckily no tests until finals wahoo! My to do list is about a mile long of everything that I need to get done! It's good that I am fairly decent at focusing when I need too! 

I am currently in the process of selling my housing contract at Roman Gardens. A friend of mine is buying it from me and we are just waiting to get everything figured out! She is moving back down to Provo the week after Thanksgiving. That means that during Thanksgiving I have to pack up all of my stuff and move it back to Wyoming. This is my last official week in Roman Gardens. That just blows my mind. It has been my  home for almost 5 semesters! I have grown to love that run down, over-priced Roman Ghettos! I'm definitely going to miss a lot of people there. 

Because I am moving out of Roman Gardens I needed a place to live! My Amazing Big Sister Alice is letting me stay with them for the last month of this semester. I am so glad that she lives close and that I don't have to crash on someones couch for a month! It will be good to live with them and spend some quality time with them before I leave for New Zealand. 

I leave for New Zealand in less than 50 days. I think I'm at 47, but whose counting. AHHH!!!!! We still don't have our Visa's yet! Hopefully we get them soon! I have nightmares about those dang things every night! I hope that everything was filled out right and that I caught everything that I needed to. I also need to think about what I'm going to pack. We get to take 1 fifty pound bag. How in the heck am I supposed to fit everything that I need in one bag! More importantly, how am I supposed to fit everything that I buy when I come home?! 

I also am in the process of deciding if I want to Student Teach next fall or do an internship. If I student teach I will be done next December (2013)! IF I intern I won't be officially graduated until August 2014. WOW! If I student teach I will have a teacher in the classroom with me. If I am an intern, I get paid, have full benefits, and it counts as my first year of teaching, but I am the main teacher. 

If I intern I could go into grad school right away! I just don't know what to do. I am going to interview for the internship, but I don't have to have a solid answer until March. Yikes! It is looking like my interview will be next Monday! Holy Cow! I am not ready for the interview! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Looks like I am going to have to be a grown up sooner than I want to. =( 

I wish Peter Pan would just take me away to Never Land! 

"No Matter How Slow You Go, You Are Still Lapping Everyone On The Couch."

I know this may come as a shock to many of you but I have a confession to make.
I EMILY MAY ATKINSON LOVE TO RUN!! 
Who in their right mind would ever think that those words would come out of my mouth. I always hated running in P.E., I hated track and field day, I just hated running. Who knows what changed, but I'm glad it did.

Running makes me so happy. I love that when I run I forget about all my problems. I love that everything seems to be okay and manageable when I'm done. Running is just amazing.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not a fast runner at all. I do not run crazy long distances. I just run what I can and then walk a little, and then run some more. I keep getting better and am able to run longer and faster!

I love how good I feel after I am done running! It just makes me so happy and I feel better about myself.

RUNNING=AMAZING

                                                      Now to work on
1. Drinking more Water
2. Eating Better
3. Going to Bed Earlier

Here is to a better and healthier me! Here is to becoming the person that I want to be!

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow

It is DONE! My unit plan that I have been working on for what seems like ages is done. This comes after a couple of extensions, many hours spent in the library, lesson plans written, worksheets made, and research done. All 34 pages have been turned in and are no longer my concern, except for the lesson I am teaching tomorrow and the grade I will get. I finished with a whole hour to spare. Now what do I do? I know, go over my lesson for tomorrow!

Am I sure I want to be a teacher? =)

"The First One is the Worst One."

Here I am in the library yet again. This time I am trying to get my unit plan done and my lesson ready to teach tomorrow! I am almost done. My lesson is ready, I just need to make task cards for my unit plan and that will be sent away and out of my hair! Wahoo!

Last weekend was a ton of fun! I went shopping with my sister. I bought way too much stuff that I didn't need, but hey sometimes you just need to! That night I also went to the temple with Marjorie and Stephanie! That was great! I love the temple and I don't go as often as I should. I need to work on that. On Saturday I went to the taping of Divine Comedy with Marjorie. It was a lot of fun but really long. I was so grateful that I was able to spend time with these amazing people. I had a lot on my mind and they helped make everything okay and helped me forget about it! Thanks guys!

This week needs to be over with soon. Today I had classes, a presentation, homework, and my visiting teachers are coming over. Tomorrow I have an observation, more homework, and my home teachers are coming over. Thursday I have classes, a group meeting, homework, homework, and more homework. This weekend I might be going home to Wyoming. We will see!

Well I guess my 10 minute break is over. Time to get back to work. I'll leave you with a great song that just came on my Pandora station.

 The next blog will probably be my pro con list of doing an internship or doing student teaching. I have to decide soon. I don't want to be an adult. Decisions Decisions

Where in the HBLL are you?

The HBLL library. What a place! This is where I spend most of my nights and free time. As soon as I am done with classes or with first grade I head over to this place and work my butt off trying to get things done. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't! You see there are a lot of distractions in this massive building. Windows to watch from, lots of people, friends, boys :), you know the usual. Today while I was in the library I got a nice g-chat from my AMAZING friend Marjorie! We were both bored (and supposed to be doing homework). We decided that we wanted to write a story. This is what we got.

once upon a time

  there lived a big fat dinosaur

 me: that wanted to take ballet

Marjorie: but he couldn't cause he scared all the other kids away

me: This made him extremely sad. He hated scaring all the little kids he just really wanted to be the most amazing ballet dancer in the entire universe.

Marjorie: so i decided to teach himself

  but there was a problem, he didn't know anything about ballet

  so he went to the library

me: in the library he found a very cool book that taught him all about ballet. He sat there reading it when all of a sudden a magical fairy appeared and gave him a pair of ballet shoes. He put on the ballet shoes and began dancing around the entire library.

 Marjorie: but it in the HBLL an it was finals week so all the kids were comatose, so they didn't even notice

 me: Now the dinosaur needed to find somewhere else to dance, where people would appreciate the beautiful art form!

Marjorie: so he ran over to the JFSB

  nothing, just people speaking in other languages

  then he went to the mckay

but everyone was just making puppets and had no time to watch him

  he even went to the RB

  but he just got in the way of the basketball game

  with his head down and tears streaming down his face he sat down outside the library

me: What in the world am I going to do? He wondered. As he sat there a purple people eater came up to him.

 Marjorie: he said

do you hear that music?

  do you hear what i hear

  follow me

  the purple people eater took the dinosaur on a mystical journey

 the traveled through book land (bookstore) and food land(cougareat) and finally they arrived in a mystical building with tons of stairs and weird art, and all sort of music

  what is this place? he asked

  this said the purple people eater, is the HFAC

 everyone is accepted here, even dinosaurs who do ballet

 me: Oh how wonderful said the dinosaur. He put on his ballet shoes and started to dance. At first no one was watching him, but he kept dancing anyways. Then, like magic, everyone stopped and watched the dinosaur. It was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen.

 Marjorie: then vocal point came out and he danced to their music

 and then they became famous on tv

  and they lived happily ever after, at NBC

 me: THE END!!!!

Great story huh! We are basically pro! 

5k and Eleanor Roosevelt!

Today I did my first 5k! Are you proud cause I surely am! I did this with no prior training, besides going on very short runs every once in awhile! The 5k was a fundraiser for this adorable little boy Jacob and his family! Jacob just turned six and has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia! Sad huh! I read the family blog every time they post something new. It really makes me sit and think about my life and how insignificant my problems are compared to the ones this boy is facing! I can't even imagine going through that!  My sister and her family are in Jacob's ward! So we all did the race together! It was at 8 am this morning and let me tell you, IT WAS FREEZING!!! My sister and her husband and my niece walked/ran it together and I walked/ran with my nephew Robby! I let him choose whatever pace we went. Sometimes we would walk and sometimes we would run! Most of the time we ran though! He is awesome! At the very beginning he decided we should run while holding hands, cute huh! We stuck together until the very end and I told him to sprint to the finish! He finished before I did! =) Then we went and waited for his mom and dad to finish because he wanted to run with them to the end. When they got their my niece Zoe was crying and decided that she wanted me to hold her, but that she wanted to run! So I picked her up and we all ran across the finish line (can I tell you that it is very difficult to run with a crying 3 year old in many layers in your arms!) This was such a great way to do my first 5k! It was very low key, for a really good cause, and it was with my family! I actually had a blast. There could be more 5k's in my future, but I think I will prepare for them!

Freezing before the 5k! Everyone but my sis (she's taking the pic)

I love these quotes down below!

I will make a prayer.
I will make a prayer to ask what I can do, I will make a prayer to ask for courage to follow the light as it is given to me.
You gain courage and strength every time you look fear in the face.
You gain strength you gain courage and strength,
you gain courage and confidence every time that you are forced to look fear in the face.
You must do the thing you think you cannot do. 
I will make a prayer
Life must be lived! Life must be lived! 
Cast out fear, we must cast out our fear and face the unknown, 
Face the unknown with courage and integrity and a high heart.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
I will make a prayer.
Believe in your dreams, believe in the beauty of your dreams.
The future belongs to those who dream,
tho those who do believe in the beauty of their dreams.

-adapted from the words of Eleanor Roosevelt.

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

I totally understand that quote! I need to relax but there is 0 time for it! Hmmmm

This is how I feel right now at this moment! 

Today was one of those days. You know what kind of day I'm talking about! The ones that you think are going to go great and they do for the most part, but you have a ton of stuff thrown on you all at once! Yep I had one of those days! I was almost in tears multiple times today! I have a ton of stuff to do, a ton of stuff to think about, a huge unit plan due, church stuff, school, friends, New Zealand stuff, family, etc... You know the usual giant mound of things to do! I already run on a limited amount of sleep and food, but so far this week seems like it will be the worst!

Today I started a block class. As if I didn't already have enough to do. This class is for my New Zealand study abroad and can I tell you that it totally overwhelmed me! So much to do, so much to think about! Yikes! I called my mom after and told her about my day! I was almost in tears as I walked to the library! Tears seem to come very easily today! I've been on the verge of having a breakdown all day! But, I don't have time for that. I have articles to read, lessons to plan, debates to prepare for, work to do! I live in the library (I have for the last 2 weeks). I usually spend on average about 24 hours every week in that place! Luckily I have a really good friend that is always there with me! I think we keep each other sane!

Anyways! Rant over! Life is stressful but so is everyone else's.  My problems are insignificant compared to those of others! Life could be a lot worse than it is! I just need to embrace what is going on. It will only make me stronger! Right?!

Sunday was Stake Conference! It was amazing! Elder Ballard came and spoke to us! I went with a list of questions and they were all answered! I love that! Here are some random things that the speakers said that stood out to me.

* Always rely on the Lord (even with the small things)
* The small things you do everyday are what make you GREAT! 
* Prayer!!!!! "Let the Breakfast Go and Pray!" 
* Look Forward! Think about the Future! (this one has been on my mind all day because I have so many decision to make in the next few weeks! I have to be an adult soon and I don't want to be! ) 
* What are your expectations? Where are you going? Where is your future taking you? 
* We won't stop talking about dating until you actually start dating! =) haha loved that! 
* Disappointments with come! You will not always be Right! (AHH man!) 

It was an amazing Stake Conference! I really got a lot out of it! Oh and I got to shake Elder Ballard's hand! That's right! I now have met 2 apostles (I met President Eyring in the temple one year!)

Take a leap of faith! Whatever happens, happens!

Have you seen this video? If not, I highly recommend it! A friend showed it to me last night in the library! It is exactly what I needed. I've seen in like 5 times since then! I love that this friend always seems to know exactly what I need, when I need it! It just amazes me! I don't think they know that, but it is true!

Isn't it amazing how crazy life can get! I can't even begin to tell you how different this semester has been from all the other 6 semesters I have been at BYU. (wow 6! Really?! I've been here a long time! still got 3 more (counting this one) to go!) This semester is just an odd one! Don't get me wrong I love it! I wouldn't trade anything that has happened for the world! It has definitely helped me become the person I am now! Who knows, maybe this semester is different because I know I am leaving the country in a few months. Maybe I just have a different outlook on life and a different take on what happens. Maybe I have a better attitude and am better at accepting whatever happens! One thing I have learned a great deal this semester is about becoming the person you want to be! It seems as though every single one of my classes talks about that! I can tell you right now, I am working on it! I am changing some things and trying to learn some new things to help me get to the point that I want to be at! I feel as though it is an ongoing and never ending process! Here is to whatever the rest of the semester has in store for me!

Watch out world! I am coming for you and I'm ready for whatever you hand me! 

Test Anxiety

I hate taking tests!

Unfortunately I have to take one today and one tomorrow and one next week! blegh! Wish me luck.

The only good thing about the testing center! It reminds me of Harry Potter and I LOVE HARRY POTTER!

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."

I have the best friends and family in the entire world! Seriously I do! They know exactly the right thing to say at the right time and they listen to me ramble on about anything and everything! I just love them so much! I've been trying to spend as much time as I can with my friends and family because in 83 days (HOLY COW) I will be on my way to New Zealand! (Yikes, that number is quickly getting smaller). A lot of my friends will be gone after next semester and that makes me really sad. This study abroad trip couldn't have come at a better or a worse time! I'm going to miss everyone that is graduating and moving on so much. But that is life I guess, and thankfully we are good enough friends that we will all keep in touch (PHEW)! There are also my friends that will still be around when I am back! Wahoo! I'm so excited that I will get to spend extra time with them! Who knows how everything will work out. However it does it is meant to be! We are all in the right place at the right time, doing the things we are suppose to! I'm excited to see the direction that life takes us all! It will be a grand adventure!

I just want to finish this off with a few quotes (cause you all know that I love quotes) and a song that has been stuck in my head all week! It won't go away.

"The longer you wait for something, the more you'll appreciate it when you get it. Cause anything worth having, is definitely worth waiting...."

"Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day!"

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."

On another blog post I added that my motto was
"I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"
I have another one to add to that. My other motto is now,
"She Believed She Could, so She Did!" 

like I said, this song has been stuck in my head! I do love it though !

One more random thought. Yesterday at church I went to marriage prep cause that's the cool thing to do. haha it is a great "life" class, anyways we talked about how important it is to right now, be the person we want to be when we are married! That really made me think! There are some major things that I think I need to change. First off I need to learn how to cook. I don't think that my future husband will be thrilled to have frozen pizzas or Ramen every night for dinner! I'm going to work gradually at becoming the person I want to be! First off, cooking a real dinner, but not tonight! haha. Off to the library I go! Midterms are upon us! UGH!!!

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Music=wonderful!

I love music! I thought I would post some of the songs that came on my iTunes today!

All My Loving: The Beatles
Ready to Run: Dixie Chicks

Gotta be Somebody: Nickelback
Wherever you are: from the movie Pooh's grand adventure
Crush: David Archuleta

Miracles Happen: Myra

Tell Him: The Exciters

Love Story: Taylor Swift
I'm Yours: Jason Mraz
What Makes you Different: Backstreet Boys
Come What May: from the movie Moulin Rouge
I won't Say (I'm in Love): from the movie Hercules
Everything you Want: Vertical Horizon
Falling in: Lifehouse

These are just a few of them! Great music to study to while in the library?  TOTALLY! Look up the rest of the songs! You will be glad you did! Any other great songs that you guys like? Let me know. I'm always up for new music!

"You were my new dream" but now I have another!

Fall is here! The leaves are starting to change colors, the weather is cooler, and football season is well underway! I love fall, except that fall quickly leads to winter! =(

Today I watched Tangled for the upteenth time! This movie is super cute. I really like the first song that she sings.

I also really really love this song! It is just adorable, they are totally falling in love with each other, and the lyrics are AMAZING!

All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's all so clear
I'm where I am meant to be

And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

(musical interlude)

Eugene(Flynn):
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):

And at last I see the light

Eugene (Flynn):
And it's like the fog has lifted

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Rapunzel:
And it's like the sky is new

Rapunzel & Eugene(Flynn):
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you, now that I see you


Standing here, it's all so clear I'm where I'm meant to be! This line really struck me. I am where I need to be. I am doing what I need to be doing. My life is going in the right direction. I am going to a great school and learning A TON! I have amazing friends that put up with me talking about the same thing over and over ;)! I am doing everything that I need to be doing right now! 


I Was a little unsure about all of this at the beginning of the semester! During the summer I wasn't sure that I still wanted to go to New Zealand. There were so many choices that I could make. I could go and push back graduation for the second time, or I could stay in Provo and graduate in April. I couldn't decide the direction I wanted my life to go. I decided quite awhile ago that I am going! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and it is the right choice for me. I have nothing that is holding me back. I have no responsibilities, no job that requires me to stay put, no boy begging me to stay (even if I did have a boy I would hope he would tell me to go). I am in the perfect position to go! It is a once in a life time opportunity and I am taking it. I am ready for the new adventure and to see how my life changes! I am ready to become the world traveler and get out of Provo Utah! I am ready to live my dream! I am ready and nothing can stop me! Ready or not here I come (in 90 days haha!)

"There is Great Power in Prayer!"

What an amazing day! I just love General Conference and the messages that I get to hear when I listen! It is unreal! Let me tell you a little bit about how I get ready for General Conference. A few days before it starts I sit down and evaluate my life. I come up with a list of questions or topics that I need help on. I pray about these and study about them in the days leading up to the Conference Sessions. Then during Conference I sit with my notebook and pen and write whatever the speakers say that I love. All of my questions are always answered. Another thing that I do is a pray. I always pray that I will be able to pay attention and that I will get the things out of Conference that I need to. I also always pray that there will be a temple built in Wyoming. This is something that a lot of people from that great state pray about. We have waited for such a long time and even though we have so many temples in the surrounding states we would love to have our own.

TODAY, our PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED! There will be a new temple built in Star Valley Wyoming! What a great thing for the LDS people. I am so excited to see where it will be built and what it will look like. Unfortunately, this will not be my temple when I am home. My district will still travel to Utah to go to the temple (my temple is the Ogden temple, but it is closed for remodeling, I'm not sure which temple they are sending us to now). I still plan on going to the Star Valley Wyoming temple as much as I can (it's only a 3 hour drive, that's nothing, it takes 2 to get to a Utah temple from my house!) President Monson made the announcements about the temples this morning. The first temple he announced was the new Provo, Utah temple. My roommates and I were so excited for this one! It will be great to have 2 temples so close to me in Provo. Then I listened for the other announcements. I always hope that Wyoming will be called, but it never is. I was sitting there listening patiently thinking in my mind how cool it would be if Wyoming got one and he announced it! I dropped my notebook and pen and just screamed I was so excited. Tears came to my eyes when I realized that the prayers of the Saints in Wyoming were answered! What a glorious day!

The sessions today were amazing. I am looking forward to listening to Conference again tomorrow!

I know that these men were called of God! I know that this is the true gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and that he restored the gospel to the Earth on this dispensation. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it holds the answers to the questions that we have. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me personally. He hears and answers my prayers and he has a divine plan for me. I know that families are eternal and that I will be able to be with my family forever. I know that Christ died for me so that I may become perfect again and so that I may live with my Father in Heaven! I know that this church is true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today! I know that these things are true! I love this gospel so much and I really do not know where my life would be today without it!

One thing that really hit me today was the infinite Love that my Father in Heaven has for me! He knows me and wants me to do my very best. He has a great and eternal plan for me. I need to trust in his timing and be prepared for whatever comes my way. Whatever happens to me will only make me stronger. He will not lead me astray. When I feel small and alone, he is there for me. He comforts me when I need comforted. He listens when I need to talk to him. I matter to him, even when I think I don't. He loves me and I LOVE HIM! I AM A DAUGHTER OF GOD! 

To quote from the Young Women's Theme. 

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. 

We will "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places"

I am proud to be a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints! 

"Let your faith be bigger than your fear!"

This was me teaching last year!

I have officially been back in Provo for a month and boy has my life changed A LOT! I thought I new the direction that my life was going. I thought that I would have a fun and easy semester. I thought things were going to go perfectly and that everything would just fall into place. Well, lets just say I thought a lot of things, and was wrong about every single one of them! 

This semester was going to be a breeze! WRONG!! I thought my 14 credits (the smallest amount I have ever taken) and the classes only on Tuesday and Thursday would be amazing. Well along with those 14 credits I also have my job as a facilitator! I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays after classes and in-between classes. I am now also FINALLY (after many emails and confusion) in an elementary school doing my 75 hours to finish my TESOL minor! This great lady in my ward, Beth Borup, is letting me be in her 1st grade class! Today was my first day and I just loved it! It really reminded me why I wanted to be a teacher (which I needed because I was starting to doubt myself).

Lately I have been trying to decide which direction I want my life to go. I had it all planned out, but you know how well that goes. You know what you want and then nothing works out. Or you get what you want and you figure out that isn't what you wanted in the first place. Those both have happened to me. There have been a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of intense conversations with some of my friends. I am sure that they are all sick of hearing about it, but they really help me a lot. I don't know what I would do without them.

I have also been thinking about my friends a lot lately. A lot of them have gotten married recently and A lot of them will be graduating and moving on to bigger and better things come April. I should be with, but I made the terrible sacrifice of pushing graduation back in order to go to New Zealand (how terrible, haha). I have been trying to spend as much time as I can with these friends because who knows if we will ever see each other again, which makes me super sad. There are also my AMAZING friends that will still be here when I get back to New Zealand. Even though they aren't too happy about it, I AM! I am glad that I will still have people that I will know when I get back and that I can still talk to and have fun with! I have some GREAT friends and I seriously love them to death!

Last weekend was the Relief Society General Broadcast. Okay, I will admit right now, I didn't pay attention to all of it. I was sick and was so out of it and in a bad mood. I did listen to all of President Uchtdorfs talk! It was amazing and I feel that it was directed to me. It was definitely something that I needed to hear and things I need to work on. He talked about the 5 Forget Not's. Here they are and here is the link if you want to read about them! "Forget Not"

1. Forget Not to be Patient with Yourself
2. Forget Not the Difference Between a Good Sacrifice and a Foolish Sacrifice
3. Forget Not to be Happy Now
4. Forget Not the Why of the Gospel
5. Forget Not that the Lord Loves You

One last thing to add to this boring and rather lengthy blog post. When I left Wyoming I wrote a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish during the semester. One of them was to be more social. Well, I believe that I have forgotten that goal. I got back to Provo and I decided that I didn't need to get to know people because I was leaving in January and there was no reason too. I need to be more outgoing and break out of my shell. When I am with my good friends I am a completely different Emily than I am when I am with other people. This needs to change. I need to show my true colors to everyone. That is what I am going to work on this week and for the rest of the semester. WISH ME LUCK! I'm gonna need it!

P.S. 97 days until I leave for New Zealand! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Decisions Determine Destiny!

I am the luckiest girl in the world today! I get to go to a great University. I get to learn about things that interest me. I have the greatest friends! I have the greatest Family! Tonight I won tickets to the BYU Utah Game! My lucky streak continues. So far this year I won an awesome TV, and now BYU tickets! Hopefully this continues! =)

In other news! I HATE making decisions! Anyone that knows me, knows this! That is all! =)

Holy Cricket

I just really love this picture!

My life this week (yes it is only Tuesday) has been super stressful! I have had a lot of things that I needed to get done and thankfully got them all done. I had a ton of homework to do, things to get ready for the New Zealand Pizza Party, and a ton of running around to do. Yesterday I went to campus (even though I didn't have to) so that I could fill out the paperwork and officially become a "facilitator". I got the email confirmation today telling me that I can start work! Wahoo, now I just have to go through some training. I also got an email from one of my professors telling me that she is working her hardest on my placement so that I can finish my minor! Hopefully that gets figured out soon because I need to start teaching (I have to teach for 75 hours). Lots to do and not a lot of time to do it in.

Even though I have had lots to do lately, I have found some time to just sit and unwind and relax. I have been watching a lot of the show 'Scrubs' lately. It is a nice short little break! Also my roommate Shelly and I play the Beatles Rock Band! We love that game so much. I also have been trying to go running because it keeps my head clear and it is good for me. Other than things being crazy crazy LIFE IS GOOD!

Lately I have come across a lot of quotes that have been really great. They always seem to be just what I need to hear. I thought I would compile them on this post for others to read and maybe benefit from! Enjoy!

"I Can Do Hard Things!'

"A person doesn't need to be perfect to be exactly what you need."

"Don't let what's happened in the past control your future. If you stray from the path you can return."

"People die in bed, and so does ambition."  Joseph Fielding Smith

"We are on a journey, a great journey!"

"Change is  scary, but it is also inevitable. It is up to you to make the best of it. It's not like an opportunity is going to fall into your lap." -Scrubs 

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities. God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

— Jeffrey R. Holland

"Your Father in heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him." --Holland

Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him.”

—Gordon B. Hinckley

"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow'." 

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out." -Gordon B. Hinckley 

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look past the imperfections."

"Keep Holding On, just stay strong!" 

These are just a few of them! I love how when I am having a bad day, I always seem to find just what I need! 

This song has been stuck in my head all night (my roommate was playing it while she was working on homework). I now share it with all of you! Maybe it will get stuck in your head! 

"Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple." -Dr. Seuss

I wish that when I walked down the street that theme music would play. There are so many songs that would fit perfectly in my life. Wouldn't that be just awesome!

I forgot to mention in my last blog post that I am now the New Zealand Facilitator for the group that I am going with in January! I am super excited. It makes it that much more real that I am going! Only a little less than 4 months until I go! AHHHH!!!! I want to go right now so bad! If I could I would definitely just pack everything up and leave right now! I'm ready for a new adventure. I'm ready to see where my life goes. I'm ready to see how I change and the person I become. This is going to be an amazing life changing experience and I am so excited that I get to go!

Because I know that I get to leave soon, I am having the hardest time focusing. I need to do well in school, I need to do my best. I've been so focused on trying to plan my future in New Zealand, that I haven't had a chance to really prepare for this semester. I need to set down and figure out my priorities and see where my life is going now.

Oh yeah, I have a new Motto. It is, "I can do hard things." This is definitely going to be a difficult semester, but I can do it. I can handle whatever is thrown at me. There has already been a ton of bricks dropped on top of my head, but it will only make me stronger. I can get through whatever is handed to me! "Don't let what's happened in the past control your future."

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same." -Elbert Hubbard

Well school started on Monday and let me tell you, I was not looking forward to going back. I love school, but I hate getting in the swing of things and I HATE HOMEWORK. So far I think I really like all of my classes. I only have class on Tuesday and Thursday (for now) and so I have a lot of time to do homework (haha yeah right). The classes I am taking this semester are Communication Disorders, Sociology in Education, Foundations of Education, Marriage Prep (no I don't have anything to tell you), and my TESOL practicum. I think this will be a great semester. I came across this great quote in my marriage prep class. It was definitely something I needed to hear.

"God is weaving his tapestry according to his own grand design. All flesh is in his hands. It is not our prerogative to counsel him. It is our responsibility and our opportunity to be at peace in our minds and in our hearts, and to know that he is god, that this is his work, and that he will not permit it to fail." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

I was thinking a lot today. Don't you just love it when you think you want something and then it happens and you decide that you don't want it anymore. Yeah I have had one of those moments this week. Also today I am grateful for AMAZING friends. I had a lot on my mind today. I decided that I wanted to go talk to my old roommate Dahea. I walked to her apartment and talked to her for about an hour. Then as I was leaving I ran into the Fife twins. I needed to talk to them so bad. It was totally luck that we ran into each other, but thank goodness we did. They are amazing and make everything better when I talk to them. All of them did! Heavenly Father definitely answered my prayers today!

Thank goodness I have amazing friends!

Me and Dahea. I love this girl so much. 

Peter,  me, and John! =)

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. "

Well, here I am, back in good old Provo Utah. It feels great to be back, but I'm not gonna lie, I really miss being home. I'll get use to being back here. It will just take some time.

I moved back in on Saturday, August 27th. It took forever and a day but I am finally all settled and things are mostly put away. Classes started today but I only have class on Tuesday and Thursday. I totally lucked out! =) Yesterday I went to church. It always takes me awhile to adjust to a singles ward again. I really do love it though. There are still quite a few people from last year that stayed in good old RG, but there are a lot of new people too. I have heard that there are more boys than girls this year. So the odds are looking good. haha jk. Tonight I went to FHE and met a lot of new people (I was actually social people!!! Are you super impressed and proud of me?! Cause I am. I have such a hard time meeting new people, but I did it. I met like 15ish new people. Now will I recognize them tomorrow? Probably not, but that will come in time). It was fun and they all seem really nice. This is going to be a great semester.

THIS IS GOING TO BE "MY" SEMESTER! =)

"It's always summer somewhere!"

Summer is almost over, but then again it's not. When I got to New Zealand it will be summer! Hoorah, I am looking forward to missing most of winter. I just found out the other day that I will leave January 2nd! AHHHHHHHHH I can't wait! =) It needs to get here faster.

In other news, I only have one more Monday left of work! Crazy Crazy Crazy! Last Friday I was able to go on a mine tour with my daddy! It is really cool to be able to go and see where my dad works and what he does. It is really cool underground. My dad is an electrician at FMC. He has worked down there for 30 some odd years! Before you go underground you have to watch a short safety video and get all of your safety gear on. The gear that you have to wear includes, steel toe boots, a hard hat with a light, a belt, safety glasses, and a respirator. After you get all your stuff you get in the mine shaft. This is a big giant elevator that takes you down underground. You go about 1500 ft down (you go down as deep as the Sear's tower is tall). It takes about five minutes to get down there. While we were underground he took me to see the long wall (where they mine the trona),  the shop and the warehouse. We rode around in this really cool dune buggy type thing called a tomcar. I really want one of these to drive to school. It would be a ton of fun. I want to work down there so bad. I think it would be fun, but I don't think I could do it for the rest of my life. Definitely for a couple of years though! Maybe that is what I will do with my life. Work random fun jobs for a couple of years and then move on to something else. Hmmm... Haha. I didn't take my camera on our excursion but these are some pics that I have found on the Internet.

Hard Hat (slightly blurry) 

Respirator 

Trona. This is what they mine. 

Long wall 

Long wall 

We have been pulling a ton of overtime lately. Usually around 20 hours a week. This has been going on for the last 8 weeks and we are finally almost done. Only 3 more nights to go. I can't wait. We have been waxing and sealing floors in the main office building. On Thursday it will be completely done (this has never been done before and the resident manager of our company is so excited). I will be glad to get to actually sleep! Today is my 8th day in a row. We worked this weekend, but that's okay cause you make tons of money! We will see how I feel by the end of the week. Well that is all for now. Nothing too exciting has been happening. 

Oh, I might be heading to Provo on Saturday to buy my books. Hopefully cause I am ready to get out of the valley!

"The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS QUOTE! 

Let the countdown begin. 19 more days until I move back to Provo. 14 more days of work. Where in the world did this summer go. I didn't want it to go this fast. Oh well, it is time to move back to school and start a new journey. It will be very interesting to see where life takes me. This semester I will be preparing to go on my study abroad trip. I'm really excited to go, but I am a little nervous. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for me. I have surely learned a lot about myself. I am starting to love the person I am becoming. Here is to a new school year, the best one yet! 

Okay now I want to share a few of my new obsessions.

1. pinterest.com  : this is a website with a bunch of random things on it. I really like the diy section. I have found so many things I love and that I want to make. Unfortunately I am working tons of overtime and dont' have time to make them. Hopefully I will soon. Here are a few of my favorite things from the website. 

2. The song Arms, by Christina Perri. This song is just so cute and it is always in the radio, which means it is constantly stuck in my head. 

3. Nature Valley Peanut Butter Granola Thins. These are the most delicious things ever! 

4. Feather Hair Extensions. Alright I know everyone has these but I want one really really bad. I think I want a blue one or a green one or maybe purple or one that matches my hair (that's boring though). Maybe I will get one before I move back to Provo.

Well I guess I should go start making my list of things I should pack for school. It will be a busy couple of weeks.